1. Lieutenant Governor Gavin Newsom, who is widely expected to run for governor in 2018, is launching a statewide initiative today to put a sweeping gun control measure on the November 2016 ballot, the LA Times$ reports. Newsom’s proposal, which comes amid a series of mass shootings around the country, would require background checks for ammunition purchases and ban the possession of large-capacity magazines. Newsom also is expected to strongly back a measure to legalize marijuana for adult recreational use on next year’s ballot.

2. Faculty members at California State University campuses, including Cal State East Bay, are gearing up for a strike vote on Monday, KQED reports (h/t Rough & Tumble). Faculty members, who are in a contract dispute with CSU, want a 5 percent salary hike and additional 2.65 percent for the lowest paid instructors. CSU is offering a 2 percent across-the-board pay increase.

3. Folsom Lake, which is one of California’s major reservoirs, is at its lowest level in more than twenty years and is at just 17 percent of capacity because of the four-year drought, the SacBee$ reports. The reservoir is expected to reach record low levels by the end of this month.